Jon Huertas was in Puerto Rico when he discovered that he was all of the sudden unemployed—the collection he starred in, Citadel, had simply been canceled by ABC after eight seasons. As a seasoned actor, he knew this was par for the course. However little did he know that what was arising subsequent for him would change his life and his profession. Huertas went on to land the position of Miguel Rivas on the NBC hit This Is Us throughout the present’s six seasons, and thru that new alternative, was capable of make his dream of turning into a director a actuality.
What was the audition course of wish to get the position of Miguel in This Is Us?
After I got here dwelling from Puerto Rico, I auditioned for potential roles in Ozark, One Day at a Time and This Is Us. The casting administrators for This Is Us beloved me for the position of Mike, who later turned Miguel. I met with Rosy Cordero Dan Fogelman and his crew at Paramount for a chemistry learn and I bear in mind considering I used to be the token alternative as a result of the character was initially written as a white man. So, I assumed that made me the one that auditions to allow them to say, “Oh, we tried somebody various and it didn’t work.” It was like that scene within the “Miguel” episode when he goes in for the job interview. We recreated that scene from my audition for the episode. I left Paramount and about quarter-hour later I received the decision that I landed a recurring position on the present as Jack [Milo Ventimiglia]’s finest buddy.
Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Did you at all times know the way vital Miguel could be to the present’s story?
Every week after my casting, I used to be requested to go to the Valley to get a lifecast made, which is after they use silicon and plaster to make a replica of your head. I requested why I used to be doing this, and so they defined I would want it after I was older and taking part in Rebecca [Mandy Moore]’s husband. I assumed they’d me confused with Milo Ventimiglia as a result of he was her husband, however they shortly corrected me, “No, Miguel shall be married to Rebecca.” I had no thought. Dan later defined this was going to be an enormous twist: Rebecca marries her husband’s finest buddy. I requested them instantly, “How are individuals going to react to this?” They reacted simply as anticipated, they thought horrible issues about him for a very long time. Because the present received extra well-liked, they upgraded me to collection common, and the remainder is historical past.
Have been you concerned within the evolution of Miguel?
After I was solid, Miguel was this uncooked piece of clay. The producers invited me to sit down with them every season to assist mould him. What I beloved most about engaged on this present is that they allowed me to collaborate on his evolution. I’m happy with how we formed Miguel into this very profitable character with a singular background and story. We slowly planted little seeds concerning the man Miguel was throughout every season. That culminated within the “Miguel” episode, that was born from the conversations we had every season.
You made your directorial debut within the Season 5 episode “The Trip”. Is directing one thing you at all times needed to do?
I needed to direct since I used to be on Citadel. [This Is Us EP] Ken Olin one way or the other received wind that I needed to direct. He sat me down in Season 1 and instructed me he was going to get me within the director’s chair in some unspecified time in the future. The present was so successful that everybody needed to direct the present from A-list actors to characteristic movie administrators. I needed to bide my time whereas these superb creatives had their likelihood. Then my flip got here round. It was actually a dream come true. This was one of the simplest ways for me to have my first expertise within the director’s chair as a result of I already had a gifted solid and crew supporting me, and who trusted me. You be taught in a short time that you just’re liable for each phrase on that web page, not simply your dialogue, and for each side of filming. This was probably the most gratifying expertise of my profession. From the second we began capturing the episode to delivering the director’s minimize, I felt probably the most overwhelming sense of accomplishment, much more so than I’ve ever felt as an actor. Properly, that’s till we did the “Miguel” episode.
Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Do you propose to focus extra time behind the digicam now?
I’m hoping to have a steadiness as a result of I don’t assume I’m prepared to hold up my hat as an actor but, however I’m positively leaning into directing now. There are a number of alternatives on that entrance, and I’ve already booked a few jobs directing for community TV. I’ve been working for 15 years straight as an actor since Era Kill with out a break, in order that’s what I’m specializing in. When contemplating future roles, I want to ensure it’s the suitable job and that it ticks off all of the containers for me so far as high quality of illustration for Latinx individuals.
How do you are feeling about how Miguel’s story ends?
What I feel was good about holding again on revealing extra is that we received this stunning present of an episode about Miguel that will not have occurred in any other case. The impression the episode had on individuals made it well worth the wait. The suggestions we received from caretakers, immigrants, individuals who really feel caught between two worlds, Afro Latinos, and the Latinx group who felt seen was astonishing. Doing it multi function episode made it extra impactful. There have been even individuals who hated Miguel earlier than who reached out to apologize. So many apologies! I tip my hat to Jonny Gomez who wrote the episode that touched so many individuals from completely different walks of life who discovered themselves within the episode someplace.
Now This Is Us is over, was it powerful to say goodbye to Miguel?
I’m not the kind of one that cries watching the present, however this character was part of me for six years. Saying goodbye the best way we mentioned it was so stunning that I blubbered. I feel as a result of Miguel’s last episode was so meaty, it sparked curiosity in individuals on the studios and networks which can hopefully result in extra alternatives for somebody like me to be on the coronary heart of a collection.
What are you taking with you out of your expertise engaged on This Is Us?
Engaged on the present taught me the worth of being an ideal scene companion. The solid persistently gave one hundred pc to every efficiency even when they weren’t on digicam for a specific scene. So, when Sterling Ok. Brown or Justin Hartley or Mandy Moore gave highly effective performances, the remainder of us supported them and they might do the identical for us with the identical power and respect. That have elevated me, as a result of as an actor, that is one thing that we generally neglect and it’s vital to maintain the continuity of the emotion. Transferring ahead, that is one thing I’ll take heed to.
The present leaves a strong legacy in its wake that was expanded additional with the launch of the Somos Nosotros scholarship. How did that come about?
The scholarship is among the most particular issues I’ve seen a solid come collectively to do. The legacy of the scholarship shares the actual which means of This Is Us, it’s together with everybody. We’re creating parity and equality by supporting Latinx creatives—due to my background—so there shall be extra characters like Miguel on TV.
You may have such a protracted checklist of credit, the place does Miguel match in your checklist of favorites?
I’d say Miguel is my favourite to this point. Due to him, there are a number of conversations concerning the significance of telling tales that embody a broad spectrum of life on this planet. I’m feeling hopeful about seeing new reveals like the brand new Quantum Leap with an Asian lead, which was championed by Lisa Katz at NBC who was a champion in getting Miguel’s story on the market. Additionally at NBC is Grace Wu, who’s prioritizing various storytelling and casting personally. They each mentioned they have been impressed by the “Miguel” episode and the way it represented the forms of tales they wish to see instructed. I’m so happy with Miguel’s legacy and I hope he continues to encourage viewers and executives to push for authenticity in storytelling.
